Start here

As many would expect, M-Vac Systems has been closely following the Krystal Beslanowitch murder trial as it was one of the first major cases the M-Vac was used on and was certainly the case that received the most significant press coverage when the story broke in 2013. With the critical nature of the DNA evidence in this case, especially when the major profile from the murder weapon (rock) was collected by the M-Vac System, we had to be there to witness the testimony and learn how the DNA evidence would be explained, attacked and defended. Emily Jeskie, a DNA analyst who works in Salt Lake City, was the prosecutions witness on 22 September, 2016, and she testified about DNA, DNA extraction, and how the suspect, Joseph Simpson’s DNA was found on the two granite river rocks that were used to bludgeon Krystal to death in 1995. Here’s a rundown of most of the major events or points brought out during the testimony. These were taken directly from Twitter posts throughout the day:

Emily Jeskie on the stand. Describing her credentials, lab accreditation, protocols etc. Worked in DNA testing for 12 yrs #simpsontrial

Emily Jeskie takes proficiency test every 6 months and highly qualified in DNA testing. Has testified in court over 40 times

Emily Jeskie describing DNA profile process and how DNA can survive over long periods of time, especially on evidence

DNA analyst discussing electropherogram from rock. Mixture of at least two contributors but there is a major profile

4 rocks, a cigarette butt and a reference sample form Joseph Simpson were submitted to private lab to be analyzed for DNA